COMBING THE COAST

Explore the dream island of Capri and soak up its magical atmosphere on this full-day excursion from Sorrento.

Ravishing landscapes, crystal-clear waters, glorious sunshine and tempting cuisine have long attracted writers, artists, philosophers and rulers to this Mediterranean haven. For over 2,000 years Capri has mesmerized travellers with its extraordinary allure. Indeed the island’s first tourists were the ancient Romans, drawn to its shores in search of beauty and tranquillity. Roman aristocrats and emperors would reach Sorrento on horseback or by carriage, then sail nine miles to Capri to escape the summer heat and relax away from the pressing demands and duties of the Caput Mundi. After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Capri was gradually abandoned and repeatedly sacked by the Arabs and corsairs throughout the Middle Ages. It was only in the mid-1700s that the island began to regain its well-deserved fame due to the renewed interest in the region of Campania aroused by the fascinating findings unearthed in Pompeii and Herculaneum. In 1826 the rediscovery of a natural wonder, the Blue Grotto, enhanced the island’s appeal leading Capri to become one of the most sought after destinations for generations of Grand Tour travellers in the 19th century. Capri’s popularity as a peaceful Mediterranean retreat and glamorous meeting spot is still unrivalled today. Discover why on this treasure island spree.

After breakfast you will meet your guide and driver at your accommodation and reach the harbour. Here, your skipper will be waiting ready to lead you on a boat trip to Capri. Hop onto your private speedboat and let the adventure begin! You will cruise past rugged sea cliffs, marvel at astonishing rock formations and dip into the limpid waters of idyllic coves. As you navigate smoothly along Capri’s coast, your guide will point out major features of interest, including the legendary Faraglioni rocks, the soaring Arco Naturale, Villa Malaparte and Tiberius’ precipice. Depending on queues, sea and weather conditions, you might want to take a peek inside the Blue Grotto, the island’s best-known natural attraction, named after the blue light that reverberates inside this splendid sea cave. Sunlight filters through an underwater cavity creating a dazzling azure glow that must have enchanted visitors 2,000 years ago just as it still does today. In ancient Roman times this was one of Emperor Tiberius’ favourite haunts. He chose the Blue Grotto as his private swimming pool and turned it into a marine temple, embellishing the cave with several statues of sea gods. For centuries the grotto was thought to be inhabited by evil spirits and all in the area steered well clear of it whereas now it is a marvel in which everyone delights – high tides permitting. Jump aboard a small rowing boat, duck your head, glide through the low cave opening and you will find yourself in another world.

After a morning spent at sea, swimming, snorkelling and soaking up the sun, dock at the port of Marina Grande. Your guide will accompany you to the tiny world-famous Piazzetta and indicate a choice of restaurants for lunch.

In the afternoon discover more of Capri’s beauty spots from terra firma. A short taxi ride will take you to the island’s upper village, Anacapri, where you will visit the former residence of Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe. Located on a towering plateau about 320 metres above sea level, Villa San Michele embodies the dreams of its visionary creator: “My house shall be open to the sun, to the wind, and the voice of the sea, just like a Greek temple, and light, light, light everywhere!” The rooms of this 19th century hideout are filled with Dr Munthe’s original furnishings and precious collection of antiquities, including marble and bronze sculptures, fragments of sarcophagi, columns, capitals and bas-reliefs. Brightly coloured azaleas, roses and hydrangeas bloom in the lovingly tended gardens, punctuated by stone seats that once must have provided prominent guests with a welcome place to rest. As you amble under the wisteria pergola and pause on the outdoor terrace, imagine the Swedish Queen Victoria – Munthe’s special friend – revelling in the views of the dramatic cliffs cascading down into the jewel-toned waters below.

But it gets even better… enjoy an exhilarating chairlift ride up to the summit of Mount Solaro, soaring 589 meters above the sea, and feast your eyes on the spellbinding panorama stretching all the way to the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

Later, return to the port of Marina Grande, rejoin your skipper and sail back to Sorrento. Your chauffeur will pick you up at the harbour and drive you to your hotel after a day packed with such unbelievably fantastic sights you might find yourself wondering if it really happened.

After breakfast meet your private driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride to Pompeii. Your guide will be waiting at the excavations ready to lead you on a tour of one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites.

Buried in deadly volcanic ash after the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and accidentally discovered in 1748, Pompeii is an absolute must for first-time visitors to Italy. Your guide will take you on a carefully planned trail through this incredible ancient settlement and explain the purpose and function of the foundations and buildings you will see along the way. You will also find out about the lifestyle and customs of those who inhabited them, the techniques used to uncover and interpret findings made here and the evidence that has been pieced together to give us such a stunningly vivid and accurate picture of Roman Campania. Although much excavation work remains to be done and conservation presents the curators with a massive challenge, what you can still see and touch here is simply astounding.

Step back in time as you access the excavations through the city gate of Porta Marina. Once inside, follow your guide through the ruins of the ancient city and conjure up scenes of Pompeii’s inhabitants as they go about their daily chores. Can you imagine how life must have been in this once thriving agricultural and trading centre peacefully perched in the shadow of mighty Mount Vesuvius, unaware of the imminent disaster, 2,000 years ago? How did Pompeii’s 15,000 residents spend their time? What were their occupations, beliefs and traditions? What did they eat? Which leisure activities did they enjoy? The answers to these and many more questions are securely safeguarded within Pompeii’s crumbling walls, jigsaw pieces in a tantalizing, real life puzzle just waiting to be reassembled – with a little help from your guide.

When you walk along the well-planned streets, taking the very same route once trodden by faithful temple-goers and busy market traders, you’ll notice the road building skills that were needed to set the large paving blocks in place and the high kerbs and stepping stones conveniently arranged to allow people to cross without getting their feet wet and dirty. This is just one small but significant example of the ingenuity of the ancient Romans in the fields of engineering and urban planning, achievements which remained unequalled for centuries and whose remarkable legacy continues to guide us to this day. Our culinary habits, pastimes and vices too may well have their roots here. From fast foods to spas, from red light districts to gambling the ancient Romans of Pompeii were already seasoned experts in the pleasures and transgressions of the city.

Your guide will certainly point out Pompeii’s age-old venues for public meetings: the forum, once the site of the market, administrative offices and court; the thermal baths where citizens came to relax, play sports and socialize; the temples, a source of precious clues to our understanding of the creed and religious rituals of yesteryear’s worshippers. Theatres were popular with the locals who gathered here to watch a varied calendar of shows, such as Greek tragedies, musical performances, poetry readings and the much-loved light-hearted plays that featured frauds, betrayals and brawls. You will also take a peek inside a private residential villa which provides a wonderful example of the layout of a wealthy citizen’s dwelling and the decorative tastes of the age.

Casts of the bodies of the ill-fated population, trapped forever at the very moment of death, leave the visitor with a particularly haunting memory of a cataclysmic event that has meticulously secured for us so much priceless knowledge about the Roman way of life.

After some free time for lunch your private chauffeur will drive you back to Sorrento where you may spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

In the evening a delicious tasting menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients will be served at a Michelin-star restaurant in Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, located a 20-minute drive away from Sorrento.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your hotel and set off for Ravello. En route stop to enjoy some independent sightseeing in Positano and Amalfi. You will take in Campania’s most amazing landscapes and dip into the history and myths that surround its favourite seaside resorts.

Nestled between steep slopes and the sea, along an enchanting stretch of coastline, Positano strikes visitors with its magical allure and picture perfect hues. John Steinbeck captured its fascination with these famous lines: “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”. A jumble of pink, amber and white houses encircles the multi-coloured majolica-tiled dome of the cathedral and stands out against the lush green background of the Monti Lattari; in the foreground pebbled beaches and the crystalline waters lend touches of silver-grey and turquoise. Cheerfully patterned and exquisitely hand-painted ceramic pieces on display outside the shops and set into the walls of the buildings provide additional splashes of red, cobalt-blue, yellow and jade… Positano is a divine experiment with colour. According to a local myth the town was founded by Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, as a gift to his beloved nymph Pasitea. A glamorous resort, offering enticing cuisine, wonderful seascape views and a tranquil respite, Positano keeps attracting “willing prisoners of a legendary landscape” – as early 20th century spellbound holiday-goers used to define themselves. Explore the town’s narrow alleys filled with boutiques, pottery stores and tempting eateries, before moving on to Amalfi.

Set at the foot of Monte Cerreto, the small town of Amalfi is, nonetheless, the largest on the coast. It may be hard to believe that in its 10th and 11th century heyday this tiny jewel of a town was a maritime superpower that successfully dominated Mediterranean trade routes, rivalling Genoa, Pisa and Venice. Folklore claims that Amalfi owes its name to a beautiful nymph with whom Hercules had fallen in love. After her premature and tragic death, the Roman hero searched the world over to locate a place that could match her splendour and decided to bury her on this very spot. Above her tomb he built a town in her honour ensuring her name and charm would live for eternity.

A plaque welcomes visitors to Amalfi with the following poetic statement: “The day of judgment, for Amalfitans that go to Heaven will be a day like any other”. A treasure trove of artistic and architectural wonders, the town is sure to impress. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Amalfi’s lively streets, revel in breathtaking views from the waterfront and take a peek inside the medieval Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, sitting proudly atop a steep flight of steps on the main square. The mortal remains of Saint Andrew, stolen from Constantinople in 1206, lie under the altar in the lavishly decorated crypt. The adjoining Cloister of Paradise, with its interlaced Moorish-style arches enclosing a garden, is well worth a visit. Originally built in 1266 as a burial place for the local aristocracy, today this peaceful corner offers a shady retreat to visitors basking in the beauty of sunny coastal sights.

In the afternoon rejoin your private driver and reach Ravello. After checking into your hotel, where you will be staying for 3 nights, spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Get a true taste of Ravello on this hands-on cooking class. A local chef will open the doors of his restaurant’s kitchen and share his secrets with you.

Food has always been central to the hearts of Campanians to such an extent that hundreds of popular proverbs and sayings in common use are inspired by gastronomy and the act of cooking. A carne ‘a sotto e ‘e maccarune ‘ncoppa (“Meat goes underneath and macaroni on the top”) means that things don’t always turn out the way they should as sauce and meat are usually on the top of the macaroni and not the other way round. A cervella è ‘na sfoglia ‘e cipolle (“The brain is the skin of the onion”) is a way to say that somebody can go mad easily since the human mind is as delicate and flaky as the outer skin of the onion. A meglia mericina: vino e campagna e purpette e cucina (“The best medicine: wine, the countryside, meatballs and cooking”) is a tribute to the therapeutic properties of exquisite cuisine.

Look after your hearts, souls and stomachs on this restorative cooking lesson. In a lovely setting, under the guidance of a friendly instructor, gourmands will discover traditional recipes, pick up some precious tips on the region’s celebrated cuisine and learn how to prepare a delicious meal in true Campanian style. After picking the seasonal herbs and vegetables needed for the cooking lesson, head for the kitchen, don your aprons, roll up your sleeves and enjoy creating simple, nutritious, but truly mouth-watering dishes.

After the class take a seat around the dinner table and tuck into your pranzo… Buon appetito!

In the afternoon you will visit a lemon grove located on the steep hills above Amalfi. Here, accompanied by one of the owners, you will enjoy an introduction to farm life and discover the difficulties and challenges of living in this enchanting, though unpromising, stretch of coast. Top off your day with a tasting of homemade lemon cake and limoncello, before returning to Ravello.

Relish the flavours of an authentic, unspoiled rural world on this half-day food and wine experience. Wine enthusiasts will have the unique opportunity to visit a farm located in the regional park of the Lattari Mountains where rare, centuries-old vineyards can still be found.

After breakfast meet your ape calessino driver in Ravello and begin your day with a pleasant ride to the winery. The estate covers eight hectares and was established in 2004 by three farming families who shared the aim of reviving ancient viticultural traditions. All of the vineyards are planted in volcanic soil and situated on steep terraced slopes, between three hundred and five hundred metres above sea level. The highlight of the farm is a historical pre-phylloxera vineyard, dating back three hundred years, where Tintore and Piedirosso grape varieties are grown. The fruit of these vines makes a valuable contribution to the estate’s much-praised signature wine.

You will enjoy a tour of the vineyards and 17th century wine cellar and learn all about the estate’s philosophy, values and production methods which centre on respect for the environment and eco-sustainability. By selecting a butterfly as one of its symbols, the estate aims to demonstrate its commitment to preserving and protecting nature and to supporting the region’s efforts to reduce the use of phytochemicals. After the visit sit down to a delicious home cooked meal made with local prime quality ingredients and paired with a selection of the estate’s wines.

After lunch your chauffeur will pick you up and drive you back to Ravello where you may spend the rest of the day at leisure. With its charming hilltop location, unparalleled panoramas and splendid gardens, Ravello has captivated countless artists, writers and musicians throughout the centuries. Founded in the 400s as a refuge from the Barbarian invasions, the town flourished under the rule of Amalfi when wealthy merchants built its most famous villas. Highlights include the Church of San Giovanni del Toro, home to the pulpit mosaics that prompted M.C. Escher to create his interweaving patterns; Villa Rufolo, whose atmospheric setting inspired the enchanted Garden of Klingsor of Wagner’s Parsifal; Villa Cimbrone, world-known for its belvedere poetically named Terrace of the Infinite.

Ravello also prides itself on a thriving tradition of ceramic-making. As you wander through its streets you’ll encounter a number of pottery shops selling beautifully displayed and exquisitely hand-painted goods, including plates, vases, fruit bowls, mugs and limoncello cups. You’ll find much to feast your eyes on in this lovely little town!

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver and head for the airport or your next travel destination.